Police launch campaign against private ‘taxis’

Mar 24, 2010 News

…following Diamond fatal crash

The death last Saturday of 59-year-old passenger Cheryl David has prompted police ranks to launch a campaign against private ‘taxis’ operating in the Grove/Diamond Housing schemes.
On Monday, ranks from the Golden Grove Police Station pulled in eleven cars that were being used as taxis although the owners are not licensed to do so. The vehicles were still in the station compound yesterday, and it is unclear whether the drivers will be charged.

Some of the seized cars in the Golden Grove Police Station

Several private cars operate as ‘short drop’ taxis in the two housing schemes, often in full view of traffic ranks.
In the opinion of some Cheryl David’s relatives, the police campaign has come a bit too late.
“They should have been doing it a long time,” one close relative said. “Most of these drivers, you don’t know how much experience they have.”
Mrs. David and three other women were travelling in a private car at around 06:00 hrs on Saturday when the vehicle slammed into a culvert on the main roadway in Diamond Housing Scheme.
David was pinned in the vehicle for several minutes and was already dead when rescuers finally pulled her out.
The driver, 35-year-old Marlon Murray was charged on Monday with causing death by dangerous driving.
He was released on $135,000 bail and is to return to court on April 3.